A Practical Workbook for the Depressed Christian (Paperback)

Five main subject areas are addressed in this book:

1)"Some basics": causes, symptoms and treatment of depression.

2)"Why am I like this? And What Can I Do About it?": including things like stress, loneliness, breavement, anger, to name but a few.

3)"Why Me, Lord?": including a section on guilt.

4)"Helping and Healing": How NOT to help, how to ask for help from family and friends, what the church shouldn't do and sometimes does.

For the Christian who may be suspicious of such "unChristian and secular ideas" as self-esteem, this book will help you understand why disliking oneself and feeling powerless (two frequent self-images of depressed people) are actually NOT what God wants for his children.

But, right from the first pages this book just glows with warmth and understanding. The author points out that reading large chunks may be too much when you are depressed. The first of his "exercises" is a great relief - basically stop trying so hard: don't pray tonight unless you really really want to, and don't feel guilty!

That is not to say that Christian ideals are compromised - not at all. A great many issues, including sexuality, bereavement, anger, fear, even the "Unforgivable Sin", are tackled in a way which is theologically sound while also being very loving and caring. The topics which can be a source of guilt to the depressed person are not dodged but are dealt with in an intelligent and understanding way.

The central theme is that depression is an illness, not a sin, and may in fact be God's way of preparing someone for work ahead. Besides that, it is an immensely practical book. I suggest you buy several copies, not just for yourself and your church library, but so that every time a Christian friend is diagnosed with depression you can send them one. It will be much appreciated!

I had lost count of the number of times I had been told to pull myself together, or worse still read my bible because that would make me feel better, this was usually at a time when I hadn't even got the energy to make myself a cup of tea. What I really needed was some practical help such as a cup of tea made for me.

Depression is a terrible condition and not always caused by outside influences. My depressions come from within, they are a result of a chemical imbalance caused by the fact that I have Manic Depression. My problem is that by the time some one has decided that I need some help, the depression is lifting of its own accord and I am becoming capable of standing on my own two feet again. Then I have a different problem, lots of people deciding I'm the cause for the month and not knowing when to back off.

This book would make good reading for all in the church who think they have a ministry in healing. Either as a good guide to handling depression or as a warning to leave well alone. I from experience would rather have no help than several clumsy helpers who blunder in and make matters worse.

The excercises at the end of the chapters were a great help and although I didn't follow even half of them, the ones I did use became good coping mechanisms for me.

I would recommend this book to anyone suffering from depression and would lend mine out except that it is falling to bits with use.